Also, on the site, be sure to check out the course descriptions. They are invaluable in helping you to prepare a justification for why you need more training. You can get to the course descriptions by clicking on the "Course Information" link on the left-hand menu and then clicking on the "Course Descriptions" link on the right-hand side of the page.

For more information about Lotus training courses, please see my earlier article entitled, "Don't get monkeyed with: a short guide to Lotus training," (at http://www.dominopower.com/issues/issue199907/training001.html) in the July 1999 issue of DominoPower Magazine. I think it's been cleaned up and all of the really dirty parts have been taken out of it, but I wouldn't recommend you read it if you are a nun, small child, or Tipper Gore.

Visit the Lotus Education Site at http://www.lotus.com/education.

Self Test Software
There was a time that I used to think that the $69 that Self Test Software, shown in Figure C, was asking for one of its certification practice tests was excessive. But now, being the experienced professional that I am, I don't feel that way at all. I wouldn't hesitate now to spend $69 to get a practice test for a certification exam that is going to cost me $100 to take.

FIGURE C

Self Test Software's practice certification tests are worth every penny. Click picture for a larger image.

It's like both getting insurance to help increase my odds of passing the test and a tremendous time-saver because it helps me to zero in on those areas that I really need to brush up on. I honestly don't think I would have passed my most recent exam without the practice exam from Self Test Software.

My only gripe is that Self Test Software doesn't really have very many practice certification exams to help prepare you for the tests that will make you a Principal CLP. But for those of you who are still on the road to regular CLP status, by all means, get these tests to help make the journey easier. Sure, you can be a martyr and try to go it on your own. But, as the immortal Dolly Parton said in the movie Straight Talk (and I'm paraphrasing), "Get down off that cross, somebody else needs the wood."

Visit Self Test Software at http://www.stsware.com.

Lotus CLP Site
If you are already a Certified Lotus Professional and haven't yet taken advantage of Lotus' CLP site, shown in Figure D, then you are definitely missing out. Before using the site, of course, you must first register since it is a private area reserved just for CLPs. Simply go to the certification home page and click on the "Education Zone Private Area" link on the bottom of the left-hand side menu.

FIGURE D

The CLP Private Area is one of the benefits of achieving CLP status. Click picture for a larger image.

Once you've entered the site, you'll be privy to content that is reserved just for members of the upper-crust of the Lotus community, like yourself. My favorite part of this site is the "Where in the World are CLPs?" link in the Quick Picks menu in the upper right. This gives you a breakdown of where CLPs are by geographical region, including USA/Canada, Latin America, Asia-Pacific/Japan and EMEA. It also breaks down the certified Lotus population further by certification type. It's a great tool to see how you compare with both other certified professionals in your region and around the world.